Just Us Girls

Just Us Girls

...one SMC's adventures in single motherhood.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

?????

Wow, thank you all so much for the supportive and encouraging comments on my last post!

So now I have a question to pose to all of you:

The biggest determining/limiting factor in my decision to add to my family is...finances. How does one figure out if she can afford to have another child????? I haven't even gotten to the teenage years yet, when I know things will be so much more expensive!

Any thoughts??

Thanks in advance... :)

7 comments:

  1. That's a tough one for sure. Unless you come into some large cash, I don't think there's any set dollar amount that says, "yep, you'll afford 2 ok"

    I believe we can make do when we put our minds to it...however, I'd put some thought into things like college tuitions, sports & extracurricular activities, upgrading to a space to accomodate a 3 person family (if necessary)...possibilities of medical needs, braces, etc...

    This sounds discouraging & I don't mean to be...

    ReplyDelete
  2. ...but I so needed a reality check! So thanks!! :) You're absolutely right...so many expenses to look forward to, ha. I definitely have (some) time to think things over a bit, and I think whether my donor has swimmers available may be a deciding factor as well.
    Thanks so much for your thoughts, Tiara!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've been going though the same thing, but I just don't know where I will find the money to raise a second child.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Heather! Awesome choice and good for you! Here are my thoughts: you are smart. You have a good job. You make things happen (baby on your own). You can do this - promise me!
    Even though I am not prego, I am scared everyday that I can't afford this (I would need some sort of a nanny - party time due to travel schedules) but I know in my heart when we are shoved against a wall we can make it work. So put these worries behind you and go for it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That's a huge issue for me, as well. The daycare where I live is $1,000 / month, so right there I'm up against a brick wall. Factoring in college gets really scary. And then there's the whole thought that I really should be saving for retirement so that I don't have to rely on my son someday (it all comes 'round...). I have seriously considered moving somewhere with a lower cost of living, which would make it more feasible. All things to think about.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have been stressing about having one, but when I bring it up to friends that have kids they say the same thing. They just make it work with what they have and it's fine.

    However, I know most of them have a father to share expenses with, carrying all of them on one salary is a different story.

    When I win the lottery I'll gift choice moms a yearly stipend!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Same thoughts here as well! How to make #2 work?!

    My thinking is if it's what you really want then you'll find a way to make it work. It will be tough because it will mean no fancy vacations, limiting the pay for play extra curricular activities, sticking to a tight budget, kids having to get a job and take some loans for college, etc. Will you regret not doing it even with all the struggle and stress over money?

    ReplyDelete